Morgan shines as Cowboys humble Bulldogs

Michael Morgan put on a show in front of his State of Origin coach Kevin Walters as he spearheaded North Queensland to a 30-14 NRL win over Canterbury.

Morgan set up four tries and scored the Cowboys' other, as they put on their best attacking display since May 2012 without Johnathan Thurston.

But it could have come at a cost, with Lachlan Coote assisted up the tunnel in the final minute with an apparent ankle complaint in his return match from a calf injury.

Morgan's performance could not have come at a better time for the five-eighth, a week-and-a-half out from the Maroons' team announcement and with Walters watching in commentary.

Queensland bench utility Morgan has largely been forgotten in the debate surrounding who could replace Thurston (shoulder injury) at No.6 if he is ruled out of the State of Origin opener on May 31.

However, on Thursday night Morgan put forward a case that he is just as capable as the likes of Anthony Milford and Daly Cherry-Evans.

His kicking game was sublime, three times he grubbered for tries while he also helped opened the scoring for North Queensland with a pinpoint perfect cross-field boot for winger Kyle Feldt in the seventh minute.

Coen Hess was the biggest beneficiary of Morgan's play, twice latching onto grubbers to score - the second rower now equal top of the NRL's try scorers list with eight.